Arguments Against Zoos

Zoos may seem fun to visit and exciting to see the animals; but what you don’t see is the suffering and depression that lies in these helpless creatures. There are many arguments whether or not zoos are good or bad, and if they should be removed or kept. Several think that zoos should be abolished or at least very much improved, due to animal cruelty. While, others want zoos to stay because it is beneficial for the animals and people. I strongly believe that zoos aren’t good for both the public and animals for numerous reasons.

There have been a lot of problems with animals in zoos. It has gotten to the point where zoos are hated and looked upon as a places of animal torture. Are zoos really that bad? Turns out, they are. They do not have enough space, they do not allow the animals to communicate with each other, and they sell the animals to cruel circuses.

The topic of zoos and whether or not they’re humane have quickly become one of the biggest controversial topics in the past twenty years. There is not much of a ‘middle’ perspective in this debate, rather people tend to lie on two completely opposite ends of the spectrum when displaying their beliefs pertaining to the zoo debate. I chose to research this topic because though I have strong beliefs, I think that, on this matter specifically, people often jump to a certain side without any prior research or actual education on the subject. I think that it’s important to understand both sides of the argument of zoos before sustaining a side. Another reason why I chose this topic was to moreso educate myself and to make sure that the knowledge I

By the basic definition, something is rare when it either does not occur often or it is not found in large numbers which adds to its interest and value. The rarity of an object can be argued by different groups of people. This causes debates about what should be considered rare and to what degree of rarity an object is. If said object is classified as rare, what should be done with that object or idea and how, if at all, should it be preserved. In this essay, I am going to question the idea of rarity and show why rarity should not be used as a way to regulate environments.

Zoos are terrible for the animals! There shouldn’t be zoos.Why shouldn’t there be zoos you ask, well let's go find out.

Many zoos claim that the reason why they exist and continue to breed animals is to help and protect endangered species, but that’s not true. I believe you shouldn’t keep animals in zoos because captivity often makes them crazy, zoo’s care more about the money, zoo’s are dangerous for animals.

In the argument weather zoos are moral or immoral there are two sides. The first side states that zoos help protect species that a near extinction and gives visitors and a passion for these animals. The second side states that zoos are immoral because they restrict animal’s rights.

In addition, zoos help with animal survival. With all the illegal hunting and killing of animals that happen today, especially of the endangered animals, the zoo offers a safer place to live, and helps the endangered species continue surviving. The zoo can also be a better habitat for some animals who would have a difficult time surviving in the wild due to pollution of their habitat.¨(Pros And Cons Of Zoos) this is saying that zoos provide protection for animal . Also zoos are a place for Humane Treatment of rare

In addition, zoos help with animal survival. With all the illegal hunting and killing of animals that happen today, especially of the endangered animals, the zoo offers a safer place to live, and helps the endangered species continue surviving. The zoo can also be a better habitat for some animals who would have a difficult time surviving in the wild due to pollution of their habitat.¨(Pros And Cons Of Zoos) this is saying that zoos provide protection for animals . Also, zoos are a place for Humane Treatment of rare

Zoos are unnecessary in the US, and are an infringement of animals’ rights to a free life in the wild. Zoos do not allow newborn animals to live in their true habitat, and these animals being held captive can develop zoochosis. Some argue that zoos protect endangered species from going extinct, but in order for species to be conserved, they must be conserved in the wild as whole eco-systems, not protected as one single species as practiced by zoos. The US should abolish zoos, and use the money that keeps zoos running to protect animals within their original habitats. This way, there is no harm done to animals, and it does not infringe on their rights.

Influential groups like the Humane Society and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) admit on their website some zoos are beneficial to animals in supporting conservation programs, participating in the preservation and restoration of endangered species, and promoting education about the importance of wildlife (“Position Statement on Zoos and Aquariums”). However, this statement holds under certain conditions. First, the Humane Society recommends zoos be organized around “a core mission that educates the public about the needs of the animals and the threats they face.” Also, zoos should treat animals humanely and provide care adapted to their physical, social and psychological needs (“Zoos”). Finally, the ASPCA indicates zoos should “participate in tightly controlled breeding programs” and their displays “should stress the themes of endangered species, wild habitat destruction and reduced biodiversity” (“Position Statement on Zoos and Aquariums”). Unfortunately, many zoos do not fall under these descriptions, but they can act on several factors with the intent to fill in their vast conservation function and thus work towards the animal welfare activists’ demands.

The article “ In defense of zoos: how captivity helps conservation” discusses how zoos are not actually bad for animals but quite the opposite. Zoos are stated to be helping conversation efforts in maintaining the population of certain species and protecting animals for all the negative issues faced in the wild. It also highlights that most of the animals including the gorilla Harambe was born in captivity and thus does not know that he was supposed to live somewhere in Central Africa but do to circumstances he was bred to help the species survive. Furthermore, the article talks about how zoos have to have a plan in place to benefit the animals before there approved to open there doors to the public. Thus, zoos aren't the enemy but a way to

Zoos have not always been classified as public institutes geared to entertain and educate in a family friendly way. The common zoo that society is familiarized with today first stemmed from the exotic animal collection of royal families which eventually led to both human entertainment through circuses and education through modern-day animal research programs. Obviously both are very different, but animal research in captivity, such as zoos, is still criticized. Many present day zoos are still condemned for animal mistreatment similar to that of circuses, but both have completely dissimilar goals. Today’s zoos are held to strict animal standards and are also highly regarded for the work they do to conserve

Today’s zoos are prime providers of entertainment, encouraging people in their thousands to come along and experience the reality of captured animals in small, useless and uninhabitable enclosures. The constant flash of cameras and pressing noses to the glass has become the signature of the zoos which house these precious creatures, yet what we fail to identify is the constant horror and neglect these poor, harmless animals are subjected to. So why should these animals be treated so cruelly?

This collection of sources includes mostly online articles as well as several news articles and books. The sources range from the discussions of the lifespan of numerous animals tothe reasoning behind study observations and research. In “Zoos’ Involvement in Wildlife Conservation,” Ramsey begins by explaining the comparison between the beginning of animal captivity to the modern-day characteristics. He describes the very first zoos as having the focus to gain profit from the public, rather than the concentration being towards the welfare of the animal. Today, the well-being of animals is the top priority in many programs across the world. Not only does this article also describe the challenges that the programs must face, but also the difficult decisions the leaders are required to make to continue their success in advanced research and conservation. Some of which include the decision on whether or not to offer predators live prey to exert their natural hunting instincts. The source concludes by informing the audience that some species could not have survived without the help and involvement of zoos. Vittania.org emphasizes the effects on animals in captivity in its’ article “21 Pros and Cons of Zoos.” This source explains how zoos provide educational learning, preservation of endangered animals to prevent extinction, humane treatment towards the animals, readily available veterinary care. In addition, zoos also serve as an economic resource for the community by providing jobs and increasing tourism statistics. It goes on to explain the negative impacts such as changes in their natural behaviors. Elephants, for example, need larger enclosures than a zoo can accommodate. Restricting the animals natural need to migrate results in a shorter lifespan in captivity and also a more aggressive temperament.Another negative impact